Aani Thirumanjanam, also known as Aani Uttiram, is one of the six annual Abhishekam days observed for Lord Nataraja at the Chidambaram Temple, together known as Sri Nataraja Abhishekam. It falls in the Tamil month of Aani, on the day Uttara Phalguni nakshatra (Uttiram) rules sunrise, while the Sun transits Mithuna rashi.
Unlike the four Chaturdashi-based Abhishekam days of this group, Aani Thirumanjanam is timed to the pre-dawn hours: the nakshatra should be present at sunrise, or, for a short (kshaya) occurrence that never rules a sunrise outright, cover the sacred hours just before dawn, on whichever day it falls.
Aani Thirumanjanam is among the most widely celebrated of the six, marked at Chidambaram with an elaborate ceremonial bathing (thirumanjanam) of Lord Nataraja, drawing large crowds of devotees for the pre-dawn and morning darshan.
"Salutations to Nataraja, the imperishable Lord of the Sabha: I bow to the Lord of Chidambaram, Shiva united with Shakti."
Traditional Nataraja invocation
Tradition & Practice
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Uttara Phalguni at Sunrise
The observance is anchored to Uttara Phalguni nakshatra (Uttiram) ruling sunrise, while the Sun transits Mithuna rashi (Tamil month Aani).
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The Pre-Dawn Hours
When the nakshatra is too short to rule any sunrise, the day whose pre-dawn hours it covers is taken instead.
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One of Six Nataraja Abhishekam Days
Aani Thirumanjanam is one of six annual abhishekam days at Chidambaram, together forming Sri Nataraja Abhishekam: see the full overview of all six.
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The Great Thirumanjanam
This day is marked by an elaborate ceremonial bathing of Lord Nataraja, one of the most widely attended of the six abhishekam days.
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Chidambaram Nataraja Temple
One of the five Pancha Bhoota Sthalams representing Akasha (space), the Chidambaram Temple is uniquely dedicated to Shiva in His form as the cosmic dancer, Nataraja.
mypanchang.com
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